Touchdown!

When I was pregnant, I remember something Chris said right after we found out we were having a girl. We were so excited about the tiny baby growing inside of me, and calling her by name was just wondrous. Chris said "Well, I am going to teach Evie to love football."

Chris has a ritual on game day - he always wears a Michigan State shirt. (He even threatened to wear one under his tux on our wedding day!) Another tradition is in the works, too. Each Saturday, Evie sits next to Daddy and cheers on his beloved Spartans.

He's already teaching her to love this game. As Chris paces the length of the living room, sometimes shouting at the television, Evie bounces up and down. It's so cute to watch, and you can just feel the excitement from the two of them.

Chris: Come on! Oh, they don't deserve to win if they keep playing like this!
Evie: Football! Go green!
Chris: Great pass!
Evie: (Bouncing) Football! Daddy! Go Sparty! Football!
Chris: That's what I'm talking about! Warm up the bus, baby!
Evie: Go, Sparty! Football!
Chris: Yes! Touchdown!

Evie raises her arms over head and screams "Touchdown!"

There's just something about a little girl and her dad. I love these moments, when I imagine my Evie all grown up. Even though she'll be busy with plans of her own, she and Chris will make time in their schedules to watch the game. They will eat chips and yell at the players together. They'll argue with the referees on television. Although Evie will probably won't end up at Michigan State, I know she'll be a die-hard Spartan fan.

Just like she's always going to be Daddy's Girl.